Celestial Dragon Edition of the I Ching ICHING11.TXT *********************************************************************** These are in depth instructions on how to properly cast the Hexagrams. copyright 2003 Regarding Divination: Preparation To properly cast the I Ching, one must find themselves in a place of centeredness and calmness. If we engage in the practice of meditation, then it is advised at this time to meditate and find that solid rock deep within our sternum. For others who are not interested in meditation, then it is advised to do some sort of work or practice before casting the coins. This can really be anything, from exercise to gardening to paying bills. What is important is that our mind is centered and ready to accept what be told to us. It is important to find this center before casting the coins because the I Ching is but a mirror for the soul. Really it tells us what we already know, but are having trouble recognizing due to scores of emotional and mental influences. If we are able to center ourselves before casting the coins, then we shall be able to read the Hexagrams from an unbiased viewpoint, accepting and understanding what is being told to us rather than attempting to turn the reading so that it says what we would like to hear. For truly the I Ching is not magic, it is not a savior, it is simply a tool. And it be well known that a tool is only as effective as the user. When employed correctly, the I Ching is one-hundred percent correct, one-hundred percent of the time. It explains situations exactly how there are and how they will occur. And if we choose to keep a log of I Ching readings, and review them after the events have transpired, then we will see that true wisdom presented in " The Book of Change. " It is recommended that the actual I Ching book is wrapped in some sort of special cloth (I use coarse black wool) and stored above eye level. Furthermore, it is recommend that a separate log and writing instrument is kept with the book and used for this purpose only. The reason for this is that the actual book is being used to divine important matters in our life. Thus, it should be separated from the affairs and Karma of the rest of our home so that it does not receive any lingering energetic influences. This cloth should be of a sufficient size as it will also have the dual purpose of being used as a "ground cover| to lay the I Ching upon when casting a reading. (The I Ching should never physically touch the ground nor any place where people would put their feet.) Though there be many ways of casting the Hexagrams, when it all comes down to dust, they all be equal. Therefore, we take the approach of the Wise Man and take the simplest route. This be using the coins. Really any three coins would do, but it recommend that these coins are kept with the book and the log and not used for any purpose save casting the Hexagrams. For myself, I use one coin each from the United States, Thailand and Argentina as each of these places holds an aspect of home in my heart. Find what is best for yourself and choose accordingly. Formulating the Question Single Castings The I Ching deals with life in black and white terms with approximately 4000 shades of gray in-between. Thus said, when formulating the question it should be phrased in an advance/retreat context. We form the question as such because nothing in life is static, nothing is given. Every situation has many possible results and the purpose of the I Ching is to gain clarity unto the dilemma and make the decision that will lead us to the greatest gain. (or the smallest loss) For example, let us say that we are considering applying for a new job and we want to ask the I Ching about the results of our application. We should not ask the I Ching "If I apply, am I going to get his job?." The reason for this is that there is no static answer for this question. The I Ching teaches us strategy, it knows that everything is possible given the right lever and angle and thus will advise us to the correct course of action or non-action. So! If we are interested in a new job, the correct way to phrase our inquiry would be this: "What would be the correct course of action or non-action that I should take to maximize my potential of getting this new job?" It seems very simple, and this it be. The I Ching will then advise us whether to advance or retreat. How to understand the results of the casting will be covered in the "Interpretation" section of this text. Or perhaps the question of investments in the stock market. For this, the we should not ask the I Ching "Am I going to make money?" The I Ching would have no answer to this. A better way to ask would be to pick a specific situation or stock and ask. "Is it best now to purchase this investment?" Another example, would be if we have a potential love interest. Here, our first instinct may be to ask the I Ching "Does he love me?" or perhaps "Is it meant to be?" This is the wrong way to phrase the question because again, there is no static answer to the question. He may love you, he may not. The I Ching is not a gypsy woman with Tarot cards who will take your money and tell you that everything will be fine and dandy. The I Ching is a manual of strategy, that will advise us unto the truth of the situation and tell us what action or non-action we make take to maximize our potential. So with regards this love situation, the correct way to form the inquiry would be this: "What may I do to win the love of this person?{" No matter the physical sex of the person making the inquiry, the I Ching will always respond to the male mind. That is, it speaks in terms of action and achievement. It speaks of logic, goals and diligent work. With the I Ching, destiny does not exist. The I Ching will teach us how to create our own destiny through the strength of our will. Dual Castings For situations regarding an either/or situation where both options are complicated in their details, then it be advised to compose a dual reading for understanding the foundation of each situation and then making the informed and logical choice. So! Let us say that we are currently traveling and are not sure whether to continue with our travels to India or to return home and get a job. For this inquiry we could very well just ask the I Ching "Is it advised to go to India at this point in time?" we will receive a well thought out answer that should give us enough information to make the correct decision. However, we know that nothing is static and every choice presents many layers of possibilities. For this, it is advised to compose a dual casting where we can understand the pros and cons that each option has to offer. So with regards to our dilemma about India, we would write out two questions on the same page and cast them simultaneously. The example is this: "To go forth to India?" "To return home and take a job?" Really when it all comes down to dust, dual castings are not necessary, however they have the strength in providing us with the details of information regarding each situation. Therefore, they be recommend for complicated either/or situations. Now that we understand the basis of how to formulate a proper question, we will move along to the details of how to cast our Hexagrams. Casting the Hexagrams After having cleared your mind, go to a place where you will not be disturbed. If there is anybody else in the room, then they should have a reason for being there,. This is important because anybody else in the room may be unwittingly tied into the reading and thus give us skewed results if we thought their presence was just causal. This is especially important when casting readings for other people. Sometimes a person will come to me and ask for a reading and just happens to have a friend tagging along. This is fine and all, but we must realize that the presence of this "friend" in the room may change the outcome of the entire reading and make results difficult to perceive, for really the reading would then become about both of them rather than just the individual asking the query. This is very important, do not neglect this. Now that the groundwork has been laid, we get to the actual casting. I - The room shall be first purified. The I Ching and the Logbook shall be laid upon the cloth cover closed in front of us with the I Ching on the left and the Logbook on the right. If we are performing a reading for another person, then they shall be seated directly across either in physical body or spirit. II - The three coins shall be placed heads side up upon the closed I Ching book while the pen shall be placed capped upon the closed Logbook III - The Logbook shall be opened to the next blank page and the current date and full given name of the person asking the inquiry shall be inscribed upon the upper left hand corner. IV - Underneath this, shall be inscribed no more than one sentence regarding the situation at hand. If it be an either/or situation that requires a dual casting then space shall be left and further down on the page shall be inscribed the alternative situation. V - Six small dots shall be inscribed moving downwards upon the left margin. If it be a dual casting, then six more shall be inscribed underneath the alternative query. VI - A deep breath shall be taken as the components of the question are allowed to seep within the consciousness. VII - Leaving the I Ching as it is, the coins shall be picked up with the right hand and thrown upon the open page of the Logbook. Their results shall be recorded in the Logbook beginning with the lowermost dot. If the coins should fall off the page of the Logbook, then no result shall be recorded and the coins shall be thrown again. This step shall be repeated until all the dots are filled in with the recorded lines. VIII - The coins shall be placed tails side up upon the page of the Logbook and the I Ching shall be opened to discern the given Hexagrams. The number of the Hexagram shall be written underneath the corresponding image. IX - The text of the Hexagrams and changing lines shall be read as it lies upon the page. X - If desired, a personal interpretation to the inquiry may be written in the Logbook underneath the displayed Hexagram. XI - The materials used for the inquiry may now be methodically packed and stored as we begin to allow the Change dictated by the I Ching to seep into our consciousness. The above described is a translation of a powerful ritual used by the sages to divine and shape the outcome of future affairs. It is rigid and ceremonial in its undertaking and recommended for those using the I Ching for a serious casting to draw power from the Source. If we are just learning the I Ching and not ready to maximize its potential then it is recommend to follow these simple instructions. -Write the question -Draw six dots underneath the question -Throw the coins six times and record the results -Discern, read and understand the presented Hexagram When casting the Hexagram, results should always be recorded beginning with the lowermost dot and moving upwards. To understand how the coins relate to the lines, we may use this chart. 3 Heads ------ * -- -- 2 Heads -- -- 2 Tails ------ 3 Tails -- -- * ------ We can see that sometimes we will receive a changing line for our inquiry. So for example, if we throw 2 heads, then we receive an unchanging Feminine line. This line is unchanging because it is considered old. However, if we throw 3 heads, then we receive a young Feminine line. It is considered young because it begins as an aging Masculine line and then changes into a young Feminine line. These lines should be recorded accordingly and the changing lines should be shown to reflect the new Hexagram. This is an example of a throw: 6th - 2 Tails ------ ------ 5th - 2 Heads -- -- -- -- 4th - 2 Tails ------ ------ 3rd - 3 Tails -- -- * ------ 2nd - 3 Heads ------ * -- -- 1st - 2 Tails ------ ------ 38 30 Using the chart on the inside back cover, we are able to discern that this reading begins with Hexagram #38 which is entitled "The Stranger." We can also see that there are changing lines for the 2nd and 3rd place. Taking these into account, we come up with a transformation into Hexagram #30 which is entitled "The Archangel." Interpreting the results is another story altogether and will be covered in another section Celestial Dragon Edition